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High Energy Physics - Phenomenology

Title:The Cherenkov effect in Lorentz-violating vacua

Abstract: The emission of electromagnetic radiation by charges moving uniformly in a
Lorentz-violating vacuum is studied. The analysis is performed within the
classical Maxwell-Chern-Simons limit of the Standard-Model Extension (SME) and
confirms the possibility of a Cherenkov-type effect. In this context, various
properties of Cherenkov radiation including the rate, polarization, and
propagation features, are discussed, and the back-reaction on the charge is
investigated. An interpretation of this effect supplementing the conventional
one is given. The emerging physical picture leads to a universal methodology
for studying the Cherenkov effect in more general situations.